Reports in the North East had claimed that a divide was emerging at the club, due to their sizeable French-speaking contingent.

The Magpies have reacted swiftly to deny the claims, led by managing director Derek Llambias.

"The club is determined to turn things around and everyone is working together to secure that goal," said Llambias.

"It is not helpful when people try and distract the team and the manager with false rumours."

Llambias' statement was backed up by both Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote.

"Every player is together. We are totally focussed on Saturday's game at West Ham and the two games after that. We have a strong bond and we want the best for our club, our manager and our wonderful fans," said Cisse.

"We are not happy about recent results. Nobody is happy when they lose, but this has only made us stronger as a group and we will come through this together. There is no divide in the team."

Tiote added: "We want to let the fans know that all of the players are committed and we are in this together.

"We will fight to get out of this problem and we know our fans will help us to do that. They are incredible."

On the back of their report about a rift in the Newcastle dressing room, the club have banned the Daily Telegraph from the ground and press events until they apologise.

The newspaper issued a statement standing by their article, and said: "We regret the club's decision to ban the Telegraph from attending matches and press conferences, but will not allow it to prevent us providing the most incisive, trustworthy Newcastle coverage, rather than pandering to what the club want you to read."

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.